Most No. 2 quarterbacks have at least a cult following that ardently supports the overthrow of the incumbent starter.

Most No. 2 quarterbacks don't live in the shadow of Case Keenum.

"I think the backup is the favorite guy on the team," Turner said, smiling, "when you don't have the best quarterback in the nation."

The 23rd-ranked Cougars (2-0) may not have the luxury of keeping Turner, a junior from Dulles High, out of sight or out of mind anymore. UH coach Kevin Sumlin hasn't ruled out the possibility of Turner getting the start Saturday night against the UCLA Bruins (0-2).

Keenum, who is fifth on the NCAA's career passing yardage list, suffered an apparent concussion during a 54-24 victory over UTEP on Friday, and his status is listed as day to day. If Keenum isn't sufficiently recovered from an injury he suffered trying to make a tackle after an interception, then Turner will make his first college start.

Against a Pac-10 team that won the last meeting against UH 66-10 in 1997. At the storied Rose Bowl.

The 6-1, 199-pound Turner surpassed 6,000 yards and 60 touchdown passes his final two seasons at Dulles. His only two Division I-A scholarship offers came from Army and Tulane, so he opted to play at Blinn College. He spent one season there backing up national junior college player of the year Terrance Cain.

Turner walked on at UH in 2008, taking a redshirt season. He got 40 passes' worth of mop-up duty last season, completing 30 for 373 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. This past spring, Turner received a summons into the office of quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury to sign scholarship papers.

"I finally go my own signing day," Turner said. "I'm grateful. It was a big deal just to show that they want you here."

The investment paid large dividends Friday. Turner completed 9-of-10 passes for 69 yards in Keenum's absence. The only incompletion was a drop.

"He didn't just show up here," Sumlin said. "He has been practicing in the system for two years."

Turner played against UTEP the way coaches and teammates say he's always practices, leading UH to 17 points in his first three series.

"The first thing you have to do as a player — I think people don't really understand - is to be able to develop confidence, not in yourself, but in the other players around you that you can get it done," Sumlin said. "The only way to do that is in practice for other players to say, 'You know what? This guy is all right.' Or in practice they'll look and say 'Man, I hope that guy doesn't get in the game.' "

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, for one, doesn't expect to see Turner in the game Saturday. Asked what he knows about Turner, Neuheisel said, "Only that they recruited him. ... But I still expect Keenum to play."

On the one hand, UH offensive coordinator Jason Phillips said the team will prepare as if Keenum will play.

On the other hand, senior receiver James Cleveland calls Turner "someone I can trust" and somebody the team can rally around again.

Turner understands he's not in line for a people's choice award as the most popular UH quarterback just yet.

"When you're behind Case Keenum no one really wants to see you on the field," Turner said, "unless you're up by 40."